A UO spokesman confirmed Wednesday that Lewis has decided to skip his senior season at Oregon. Still, the inclusion of Lewis' name has come as a surprise to those in the Casanova Center as well.

Coach Chip Kelly previously announced that nine of his underclassmen had "tested the waters'' of the NFL, by seeking information from the advisory board, but that all nine would return.

The focus had been on the decision of running back LaMichael James, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting and was projected to be a third-round draft pick.

The decision by Lewis is a surprise. He is not expected to be drafted and wasn't even a starter (although he did start against Portland State).

Lewis, who saw the field primarily in nickel packages for the Ducks, was 17th on the team in tackles (17, eight unassisted).

His most noteworthy play came against Stanford, when he delivered a helmet-to-helmet blow to receiver Chris Owusu, forcing a fumble that Eddie Pleasant nearly returned for a touchdown. From there, the Ducks scored the game's last 21 points.

The Ducks lose cornerback Talmadge Jackson and rover Marvin Johnson - and now Lewis - from the secondary this year. Cornerbacks Cliff Harris and Anthony Gildon return, as do safeties Pleasant and John Boyett.